Locker construction



Sept. 13, 1966 R. G. MONEY 3,272,578

LOCKER GON TTTTTTT ON Sept. 13, 1966 R. G. MoNEY LOCKER CONSTRUGTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 9, 1964 INVENTOR. ROBERT G. MONEY wwmmazg/ ATTORNEYS Sept. 13, 1966 R. G. MONEY LOCKER CONSTRUCTION 5 Sheets--Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 9, 1964 4| Kasa 3151-15 INVENTOR ROBERT G. MONEY W 19 Afro EYs United States Patent O 3,2`72,578 LOCKER CONSTRUCTION Robert G. Money, 7742 Little Mountain Road, Mentor, Ohio Filed Sept. 9, 1964, Ser. No. 395,226 13 Claims. (Cl. 312-198) This invention relates generailly as indicated to a locker constr-uction and more particula-rly rela'tes to a locker construction which is suitable ffor use by two or more persons wherein upper and lower compartments of different widthsv may become accessible simultaneously when the doors of the locker are opend.

Reference can be had to my prior United States Patent No. 3,0i42,470, entitled Locker Unit, for a disclosure of many features which may desirably 'be included in this invention. One example of such a feature which is of particular -importance is that of the diagonally disposed side-by-side vertically extending compartments which can easily and advantageously be incorporated into the present invention, as wil-l be more fully disclosed hereinafter.

The conventional locker-s presently available which are designed to be used by two or more people have many practical disadvantages. One of the principal disadvantages is the fact that the smaller compartments for the storage lof hats, shoes, etc., because of the narrow width of the lockers, are positioned directly above each other and above the somewhat more narrow vertically extending compartments wherein coats, shirts and the like are to be hung on hangers. As a result of this arrangement, the upper compartments have individual doors which can be opened 'and closed -independently of the main doors below. Thus, if the upper doors are open at the same time, they can be opened at different an'gles than the doors below thereby presenting a distinct Safety hazard particularly to the users of the locker and also to other individuals who might be passing by, for it will be readi-ly appreciated that such van arrangement can very easily produce head or eye injuries.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide a locker construction -in which the upper somewhat wider compartments thereof become accessible simultaneously with the opening of the main doors below thus eliminating the necessity of opening separate doors and minimizing the possibilty of personal injury.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a locker construction wherein the wider hat compartment of the unopened locker unit is unacces'sible when the other locker unit is opened.

Yet another object is the provision of such a locker construction which is of attractive appearance and is relatively simple in construction.

Other objects, features, and advantages of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following more detailed description of the invention.

These and other objects are achieved by means of this invention in which a locker construction is provided comprising a plurality |of first compartments disposed in sideby-side 'relationship with a common rear Wall, a door for each compartment, a divider partition between the compartments, 'and a plurality of second compartments positioned above the first compartments. Each of the doors 'of the locker construction extends vertically on opposite sides of the divider partition and encloses the first and second compartments so that both of the compartments becomes accessible at the same time when the appropriate door is open.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the following description and the annexed draw- "ice ings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention these being indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principle of the invention may be employed.

In said annexed drawings:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are front elevational views of the locker construction of this invention; FIG. 1 illustrates the locker with the doors positioned thereon, and FIG. 2 illustrates the construction without the doors;

FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 are sectional views taken along lines 3-3, 4-4, and 5-5 respectively of FIG. 1, illustrating in detail the cross-section of the various compartments of the locker;

FIG. 6 is a partial cut away isometric view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a somewhat modified embodiment of this invention wherein a latch is provided on the upper portion of the door for securing the door firmly in the closed position, FIG. 8 being a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the latch mechanism on line 8-8 of FIG. 7,'

FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 are fragmentary sectional views similar to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrating an alternative en1-` bodiment of this invention;

F IG. 12 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a somewhat modified form of door which may be used with this invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates another alternative embodiment of this invention;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are partial cutaway views illustrating a further modified form of the FIG. 13 embodiment, FIG. 14 being taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary section view taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 14.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGS. 1-6 inclusive, a locker construction 1 is provided of the type generally suitable for use by two individuals which has been constructed in accordance with this invention. The locker construction comprises a metallic housing formed from parts such as Sheet steel by spot welding, riveting, etc., and is roughly about 72 inches in height and about 18 inches in width and depth, although of 'course the dimensions can be varied as desired. The construction has a pair of Vertical side walls 2 and 3 and a rear wall 4 which extends across the entire width of the locker and is thus common to the compartments of both individuals. A pair of doors 5 and 6 are provided which extend vertically of the locker on opposite sides of a divider partition 7 which separates the locker into a pair of first or vertically extending compartments 8 and 9 into which coats, shirts, etc., can be hung. The doors are hingedly connected to the locker at H and H' and have a handle and latch means 10 for opening and closing same. Lockin-g means will also, of course, be provided with the handle and latch means for securing the locker.

As shown particularly in FIG. 1, the doors 5 and 6 are laterally extended at the upper portions 5' and 6', and thus serve as doors for the smaller upper compartments 11 and 12 into which hats or shoes or the like can be placed. In the arrangement shown, the right-hand door 5 has a relatively narrow Vertical portion 5 which accommodates the laterally offset portion 6' of door 6 and also connects laterally offset portion 5' to door 5. For purposes of Safety, the laterally offset portions of the doors are provided with rounded Corners C so as to lessen the possibility of serious injuiy occurring. To minimize further such possibility, the corners of the doors may be provided with a cushion of resilient material 13 (see FIG. 12).

To assure that the lower compartment 12 of Ithe two upper compartments 11 and 12 is closed when door 5 is opened, closure plate 14 is positioned above the compartment 9 parallel to vertical portion-5'l of door 5 and extends vertically between the compartments 9 and 11. To balance with closure plate 14 for appearance, the laterally offset portion 5' of the door 5 does not extend. across the entire front of the locker, but a portion 15 is provided on the front of the locker as a composite part thereof. Port'ion 15 is sloped laterally as shown at 15' to accommodate the rounded corner of door 5. Horizontal shelves 16 and 17 are provided within the locker to complete the upper compartments 11 and 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 a somewhat modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated. A locker construction 20 of the same type disclosed in FIGS. 1-6 is shown in which a latching mechanism designated generally by numeral 21 is provided on the upper portion of the right-.hand door to retain the upper portion of the door tightly closed. A release cable 22 is connected to the latching mechanism, positioned over pulleys 23 and 24, and connected to handle and latch means 25.

Although many suitable latching mechanisms may be employed, one such latch is illustrated in FIG. 8. As shown, the mechanism has a projecting latch portion 26 which engages behind a mating portion 27 attached to the locker. A 'compression spring 28 is positioned in association with the latch portion 26 to force such portion to the left, as seen in FIG. 8, and thus into its latching position. When it is desired to open the door, the handle and latching means is released which in turn tightens the release cable 22 and forces latching portion 26 from its positon of engagement with member 27.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 9-11 inclusive. In this embodiment, the invention is provided in association with the unique diagonally designed locker unit described in my aforesaid patent. A locker construction 30 is provided which is similar to that of the other embodiments herein described, except that, in accordance with the aforesaid patent, it is suitable for use by more than two people. A plurality of diagonally positioned divider partitions 31 extend vertically of the locker and divide same into a plurality of compartments. Doors 32 and 33 are illustrated which are of the same constr-uction as those hereinbefore described. A closure plate 34 is also positioned as in the other embodiments parallel to the door and extending vertically between the two upper compartments to 'close off and to deny access to the lower of the two compartments when the appropriate door is opened to gain access to the upper compartment. It will be readily ap'preciated that such construction combines the many advantageous features of the locker unit disclosed in my prior patent with those of the present invention and thus forms a particularly desirable construction.

In FIG. 13, 'an alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated. A locker construction 36, of the type shown in FIGS. 1-8, is provided with a pair of main doors 37 and 38 which have additional doors 39 and 40 connected thereto through hinges 41 and 42. With this construction, the doors 39 and 40 can be maneuvered through the hinged connections into a position parallel and adjacent the main doors when the doors are opened (see FIG. 15) thereby alleviating any possible hazard resulting from the protrusion of the top section of the doors. If desired, the upper doors 39 and 40 may also be designed to open independently of doors 37 and 38 through handle and latch means 43 and 44 thereby providing a means of access to the upper compartments, if it is desired to remove an article therefrom and there is no necessity for -using the lower compartments. In such case, locking means will generally be provided for the upper doors as well as the main doors to provide adequate security for the locker.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, a further modified form of the FIG. 13 embodiment is illustrated. Locker 36 is provided with an arm 45 pivotally attached to the top T at 46. The arm is preferably in the form of a hook with a protruding end 47 to engage the upper door 39 to assist in closing same when the main door 37 is closed. Alternatively, of course, the end of the arm may 'be a small wheel, such as a metal or Teflon wheel, which would rotate in engagement with the doors as the doors are opened or closed. In the closed position, the arm will rest against the Vertical wall of the upper door as shown at 48. Spring 49 may be provided between a wall of the locker and ar.m 45 to retain the arm adjacent the door 37 as at 50 when the locker is open. Similarly, a spring 51 may be provided 'between doors 37 and 39 to retain door 37 parallel and adjacent door 39 when the locker is open. As a further alternative arrangement, however, hinges 41 may be spring type hinges, and thus would function in the same manner as spring 51 for the same purpose.

When door 37 is closed, end 47 of the arm will engage door 39 and force it from the FIG. 15 position to that shown in FIG. 14, with the force exerted on the door causing the arm to be moved through pivot 46. To facilitate this movement, the channel-shaped doors 37 and 39 are cut out in the inside area adjacent the place of intersection with the top of the locker, as shown in FIG. 16 at 52, 53, 54, and 55. Conversely, when the door is opened, springs 49 and 51 cause the arm and door 37 to assume their FIG. 15 positions.

It will be understood that a locker construction of the type herein illustrated and described can be employed in many places, such as schools, armories, etc., or in automatic checking Operations, as for example, in crowded airlines, railroad or bus terminals. The lower portion of the locker unit, in addition to providing storage space for coats, shirts, or the like, can accommodate luggage or other similar parcels. The smaller upper compartments can likewise accommodate any small item desired to be checked. Similarly to facilitate versatility in use, the locker construction may be provided with the usual louvered ventilation openings in the front and back thereof in the conventional manner.

Other modes of applying the principle of the invention may 'be employed, change being made as regards the details described, provided the features stated in any of the following claims, or the equivalent of such, be employed.

I, therefore, particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A locker construction for garments and the like comprising a plurality of first compartments positioned in sideby-side relationship having a common rear wall, a door for each compartment, a divider partition between said compartments, and a plurality of second compartments positioned above said first compartments, each of said doors extending vertically on opposite sides of said divider partition and enclosing said first and second compartments to permit access to said first and second compartments when opened, and a closure plate positioned above one of said first compartments parallel to one of said doors and extending vertically between said first compartment and one of said second compartments to deny access to one of said second compartments when the door to the other of said second compartments is opened.

2. The locker construction of claim 1 in which said doors include at least one rounded corner.

3. The locker construction of claim 2 in which said rounded corner includes a resilient cushion.

4. The locker construction of claim 1 in which a latching mechanism is provided on the upper portion of one of said doors to retain said upper portion tightly closed, and a release cable interconnects said latching mechanism with a handle and latching means on said door whereby said latching mechanism is released when said handle and latching means is released to open said door.

5. The locker construction of claim 1 in which said divider partition is diagonally disposed with respect to said rear wall.

ser/2,578

6. A locker construction for garinents and the like comprising a plurality of first compartments disposed in side-by-side relationship having a common rear wall, a door for each of said compartments, a pair of second compartments positioned above said first compartments, said second compartments 'being one above the other, each of said doors extending vertically on opposite sides of a dvider partition and enclosing one of said first and one of said pair of second compartments to permit access thereto when opened, and a closure plate positioned above one of said first compartments parallel to one of said doors and extending vertically between said one first compartment and one of said second compartments to deny access to the lower of said pair of second compartrnents when said door is opened.

7. The locker construction of claim 6 including a pair of horizontal shelves, one of said shelves being positioned immediately above said first compartments, and the second of said shelves positioned above but spaced from said first shelf thereby forming said pair of second compartments.

8. A locker construction for garzments and the like comprising a plurality of first compartments positioned 'in side-by-side relationship having a common rear wall, a door for each comipartment, a dvider partition between said compartments, a plurality of second compartments positioned above said first compartments, each of said doors extending vertically on opposite sides of said dvider partition and enclosing said first and second compartments to permit access to said first and second compartments when opened, each of said doors having a second door hingedly connected thereto at the upper portion thereof and extending the length of such upper portion, whereby said second door can be positioned parallel and closely adjacent the main door when opened thus minimizing the hazard resulting from protrusion of the top section of said door when opened.

9. The locker construction of claim 8 in which an arm is pivotally attached to the top of said locker and engages one of said second doors to assist in closing same.

10. The vlocker construction of claim 9 in which a spring extends between a Vertical Wall of said locker and said arm to retain the arm against said second door said locker is open.

11. The locker construction of claim 10` in which a second spring is positioned between said doors to retain said second door parallel and adjacent the main door when said locker is open.

12. A locker construction for garments and the like compris'ing a pair of vertically extending compartments in side-by-side relationship having a common rear wall, a door for each compartment, a dvider partition between said compartments, a first horizontal shelf positioned above said vertically extending compartments to close off same, a second horizontal shelf positioned above and spaced from said first shelf, said first and second shelves forming a pair of second compartments, each of said doors extending the length of said locker and enclosing one of said vertically extending compartments and said second compartments, and a closure plate positioned between said shelves parallel to and 'adjacent one of said doors to deny access to the lower of said second compartments when the door to the other of said second compartrnents is opened.

13. The `locker construction of claim 8` in which latch means are provided 'in said second doors whereby said second doors may be opened independently of said vertically extending doors.

References Cited hy the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,442,751 1/ 1923 Vance 312-324 1,477,844 12/1923 Nystrom 312-324 X 1,505,291 8/1924 Schaefer 312-324 2,315,927 4/1943 Brack 312-242 X 2,547,513 4/1951 Wikman 312-218 X 2,847,265 8/1958 Kulik 312-198 X 2,955,891 10/1960 McDonnold 312-242 3,042,470 7/1962 Money 312-198 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

HANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A LOCKER CONSTRUCTION FOR GARMENTS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF FIRST COMPARTMENTS POSITIONED IN SIDEBY-SIDE RELATIONSHIP HAVING A COMMON REAR WALL, A DOOR FOR EACH COMPARTMENT, A DIVIDER PARTITION BETWEEN SAID COMPARTMENTS, AND A PLURALITY OF SECOND COMPARTMENTS POSITIONED ABOVE SAID FIRST COMPARTMENTS, EACH OF SAID DOORS EXTENDING VERTICALLY ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID DIVIDER PARTITION AND ENCLOSING SAID FIRST AND SECOND COMPARTMENS TO PERMIT ACCESS TO SAID FIRST AND SECOND COMPARTMENTS WHEN 